Messages

16

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Taping the Prop Table

« on: Jul 26, 2008, 05:19 pm »

My only problem with outlining the physical prop is what if the prop changes?  Do you have to redo the entire butcher paper?

I ran into this problem a month ago actually...good point...

17

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Taping the Prop Table

« on: Jul 26, 2008, 01:07 am »

I've seen and done a variety of ways to mark a props table.  At my high school we used the butcher paper method and we used sharpies to draw the outline of the object so that anyone looking at the table could figure out right away what was missing (if anything).

I love this method, it works if space permits!

18

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / Re: Alertness

« on: Jul 26, 2008, 01:01 am »

I usually watch audience reactions. The performance may not change much from show-to-show, but the audiences do!

19

The Hardline / Re: LORT levels

« on: Jul 17, 2008, 11:01 pm »

Thanks! That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure.

20

The Hardline / Re: Guest Artist Agreement

« on: Jul 17, 2008, 09:29 pm »

Interesting... Thanks for the feedback!

21

The Hardline / Re: LORT levels

« on: Jul 17, 2008, 08:03 pm »

How do some theatres have multiple LORT levels?

22

The Hardline / Re: AEA Apprenticing??

« on: Jul 17, 2008, 07:20 pm »

Joining AEA.  You can join in one of three ways:

1) work in equity theatres as a AEA candidate and accrue 50 weeks of work, pay your money

2) have a theatre hire you on under an equity contract, pay your money

3) be a member of a sister union, pay your money

No matter what you do, you will pay your money...lol priceless!

23

The Hardline / Guest Artist Agreement

« on: Jul 17, 2008, 07:18 pm »

What is this for? Using equity actors in a non-equity show? Educational?
Thanks for the feedback!

24

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: calling cues? (warning vs standby)

« on: Jul 11, 2008, 10:06 pm »

Example:

Stand-by LQ 253
1 word before the cue line, "GO."

It seems to work every time! I also don't require my crews to say standing-by I know the majority of the world does, but I think that's a waste of time and I have tons of confidence in my crews!
Hope this helps!

25

Tools of the Trade / Re: The Blackberry

« on: Jul 06, 2008, 11:55 pm »

I'm a loyal Sprint customer that just made the switch to the Instinct and I love every bit of it! You all may wonder who on earth would use Sprint, but I love that I can have my phone at the Tech table and not disrupt the sound system! If you're in the big cities Sprint is the way to go! And all stage managers should have a blackberry-type device I think! I've replied to emails (jobs) via my phone that would have been too late had I waited until I got home!

26

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Definition of Production Stage Manager

« on: Jul 06, 2008, 10:35 pm »

What are the duties/job specs for the Production Stage Manager vs. Stage Manager or ASMs? I've been looking for the answer forever!
Thanks for the help!

27

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: ASM??

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 02:24 pm »

Now having two ASMs for the first time, I don't know how I did my last 5 shows without any! I'm doing Jitters (Canadian version of Noises Off) right now and my ASMs sit at the table with me on-book as I take blocking notes and make sure props, set pieces, are in the correct place. During intermission they take care of changing rehearsal sets, etc. Last night I had them track every prop, from the prop table to returning to the prop table. That kept them busy. Mostly they're on-book. During the run, I'll have one SR and one SL to assist.

28

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Difference between Assistant Director and SM?

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 02:17 pm »

My AD sits back during rehearsals and looks at the mechanics of blocking/emotions/ect. Then gives suggestions to the director. An extra set of eyes in the house.

29

Stage Management: Plays & Musicals / TECH: Reports during technicals

« on: Nov 12, 2007, 02:14 pm »

I start technicals for Jitters Wednesday and I was wondering if you guys do some type of report during technicals? I have my rehearsal/performance reports. It seems like everyone will be there to see what needs to be fixed so doing a "technical report" would be redundant. Any thoughts?

30

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: Calling attention

« on: Oct 28, 2007, 10:40 pm »

I have 3 ways 1. Looking annoyed, 2. The Whistle, and 3. Yelling. I've found that actors really hate the sound of whistles, so... if you try getting their attention by talking and it doesn't work, then blow the whistle. Next time they hear you they'll stop talking b/c if they don't then they know what's coming next!

I've also found that standing tall and firm with a straight face lets the cast know that it's my turn to talk. I'm on the same page when it comes to being shy. But having a cast of 45 this summer quickly cured my shyness!

Best of Luck!